Multicable clamp

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include a closure apparatus for clamping a transmission cable, such as an optical fiber transmission cable, and one or more tether cables. The closure apparatus includes a first member and a second member, each with a first partially cylindrical segment that fits around at least a portion of the transmission cable and at least one second partially cylindrical segment that fits around at least a portion of a corresponding tether cable. The first and second members are configured in such a manner that, when the first and second members are operably joined together, they form a closure around the transmission cable and the at least one tether cable in such a way that the transmission cable and the at least one tether cable are substantially parallel and co-planar with one another.

1 . A closure apparatus, comprising:
 a first member having a first partially cylindrical segment dimensioned to fit around at least a portion of a transmission cable and at least one second partially cylindrical segment coupled to the first partially cylindrical segment and dimensioned to fit around at least a portion of a tether cable; and   a second member having a first partially cylindrical segment dimensioned to fit around at least a portion of a transmission cable and at least one second partially cylindrical segment dimensioned to fit around at least a portion of a tether cable,   wherein the first and second members are configured in such a way that, when joined together, the first and second members form a closure around the transmission cable and the at least one tether cable in such a way that the transmission cable and the at least one tether cable are substantially parallel and co-planar with respect to one another.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first member includes at least one first keying feature, wherein the second member includes at least one second keying feature, and wherein the first and second keying features are configured in such a way that the first and second members are joined together by joining together the first and second keying features. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein one of the first and second keying features further comprises at least one key protruding from a portion of the respective member, and wherein the other of the first and second keying features further comprises at least one keyway formed in a portion of the respective member, and wherein the first and second members are joined together by positioning the at least one key into the at least one keyway. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first member includes at least one flanged surface, wherein the second member includes at least one flanged surface, and wherein the first and second members are joined together by joining together the at least one flanged surface of the first member with the at least one flanged surface of the second member. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the flanged surface of one of the first and second members includes at least one key protruding therefrom, wherein the flanged surface of the other of the first and second members includes at least one keyway formed therein, and wherein the first and second members are joined together by positioning the at least one key into the at least one keyway in such a way that the flanged surface of the first member and the flanged surface of the second member are joined together. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first and second members is made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, nylon, die cast aluminum, precision formed aluminum, stamped aluminum and stainless steel. 
   
   
       7 . A closure member apparatus, comprising:
 a first partially cylindrical segment dimensioned to fit around at least a portion of a transmission cable;   at least one second partially cylindrical segment coupled to the first partially cylindrical segment and dimensioned to fit around at least a portion of a tether cable; and   at least one flanged surface coupled to at least one of the first partially cylindrical segment and the at least one second partially cylindrical segment,   wherein, when the flanged surface of the closure member apparatus is joined together with the flanged surface of another closure member apparatus, a closure having a first cylinder dimensioned to receive the transmission cable and at least one second cylinder dimensioned to receive the tether cable is formed in such a way that the transmission cable and the at least one tether cable are substantially parallel and co-planar with respect to one another.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one flanged surface includes at least one keying feature configured in such a way that, when the flanged surface of the closure member apparatus is joined together with the flanged surface of another closure member apparatus, the keying features of the respective closure member apparatus are joined together. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one flanged surface includes at least one key protruding therefrom and at least one keyway formed therein, wherein the at least one key and the at least one keyway are configured in such a way that, when the flanged surface of the closure member apparatus is joined together with the flanged surface of another closure member apparatus, the key of one of the closure member apparatus is positioned in the keyway of the other of the closure member apparatus. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the first partially cylindrical segment includes a first side and a second side, and wherein the at least one second partially cylindrical segment further comprises a first second partially cylindrical segment coupled to the first side of the first partially cylindrical segment and a second partially cylindrical segment coupled to the second side of the first partially cylindrical segment. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the closure member apparatus further comprises a first side and a second side, wherein the flanged surface further comprises a first flanged surface coupled to the first side of the closure member apparatus and a second flanged surface coupled to the second side of the closure member apparatus, and wherein the closure member apparatus is joined together with another closure member apparatus when the first flanged surface of one of the closure member apparatus is joined together with the second flanged surface of the other closure member apparatus. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the closure member apparatus further comprises a first corner, a second corner, a third corner and a fourth corner, and wherein the closure member apparatus further comprises a pair of keying features protruding from one set of opposing corners and a pair of keyways formed in the other set of opposing corners. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the closure member apparatus is made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, nylon, die cast aluminum, precision formed aluminum, stamped aluminum and stainless steel.